Innovation Fellows

We are pleased to announce the first cohort of our Innovation Fellowship. These 10 remarkable Jewish communal professionals are joining us for a 6 month Fellowship, learning to apply the tools of Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Adaptive Leadership to their work at established institutions in Chicago. Learn more about the program here.

Robyn Brenner is an Assistant Vice President of Campaign at the Jewish United Fund (JUF). Her portfolio includes overseeing project-based giving efforts, serving as the overall lead staff of one of JUF’s largest fundraising efforts, Country Club Day, building and maintaining relationships with donors, and acting as the liaison between the Campaign and Community Outreach & Engagement Departments. Prior to this role, Robyn was the Director of JUF’s Trades, Industries & Professions Divisions which included managing the 3,000+ attended TIP Dinner Season, and overseeing two major fundraising events including the Vanguard and Standard Club Dinners. Before joining JUF in 2006, Robyn completed her master’s degree from the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work and Sol Drachler Program in Jewish Communal Leadership. She received her undergraduate degree at Brandeis University. Robyn lives in Lakeview with her husband, Dan, and two sons, Liam (2.5) and Owen (6 months).

Tovah Goodman - North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

Tovah Goodman is the youth community director at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El. After graduating from University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Public Relations, Tovah went to Israel for an internship in international relations at The New Fund for Cinema and Television. Inspired by the Jewish community in Tel Aviv, she decided to pursue work as a Jewish professional. The first introduction to Chicago was working for the Jewish United Fund as the Israel Programs Specialist. Tovah has a passion for giving back and volunteers for the organizations PAWS Chicago and Twist Out Cancer. Tovah also play and writes Jewish music and is currently working on an album and curriculum.

Samuel Huston Harris - American Jewish Committee

Title: Development CoordinatorOrganization: American Jewish CommitteeWebsitePrimary Area of Focus: Advocacy & AwarenessPrimary Population Served: Adults

Samuel “Huston” Harris works in development at the American Jewish Committee’s Chicago regional office. He received his B.A. in International Relations from the George Washington University in 2012. After graduating, Huston went on to work for various civic and non-profit organizations including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, until beginning his current position at AJC two years ago. In addition to development related activities, Huston founded AJC’s first LGBTQ Advisory Council to help advocate gay-Jewish civil rights issues domestically and internationally. He hopes to see the council replicated in some of his organization’s 22 offices across the United States, similar to other AJC councils such as the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council and the Latino Taskforce. When Huston isn’t busy at work he enjoys running Marathons, playing in kickball & dodgeball leagues, traveling, attending art museums & galleries, volunteering for YLD’s Pride Council and serving on his high school’s alumni board.

Rachel Hillman - Northwestern Hillel

Rachel Hillman joined the Northwestern Hillel professional staff as Assistant Director in July 2016. Prior to moving to Chicago, Rachel lived and worked in Washington, DC Jewish community for nearly a decade. When she's not inspiring Jewish college students (and being inspired by them!), Rachel pretends to enjoy running, practicing yoga, and experimenting with healthyish recipes. In reality, she enjoys binge-watching television, reading on her couch, making nachos, and working on her epic banana bread recipe. Rachel is thrilled to join the inaugural cohort of the UpStart Innovation Fellowship.

Tamy Cohen Jacobs - ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal Website

Tamy Cohen Jacobs has over 25 years of experience in the Jewish communal world. At ALEPH, her portfolio at includes event and retreat programming, development, community in reach and outreach, marketing, strategic planning and project management. She has her Master’s degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. Tamy has a broad scope of talents and skills she learned from owning an adoption consulting business, fundraising and programming for the JCCs of Chicago and The Jewish Women’s Center as well as directing both an early childhood program and synagogue simultaneously. Tamy and her family live in Highland Park. She is an active member and board member of Aitz Hayim Center for Jewish Living. Tamy is in a training program for embodied Judaism practice such as movement, dance and arts. Tamy is also a Holistic Health Coach.

Rabbi Zev Kahn - Jewish Education Team

Rabbi Zev Kahn is better known in the Chicagoland area as the "Rugby Rabbi" from his days as a former Maccabi Games Gold Medalist in 1985 and 1989. Originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Zev played for University of Cape Town and Western Province under 20, before being selected to represent South Africa. Zev came to Chicago after spending six years at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem, where he completed the Ohr Lagolah teacher training program and was very involved in college student touring programs. The Kahns moved to Chicago in 1998 to work for the Chicago Community Kollel, and in 2005 Rabbi Kahn founded JET - Jewish Education Team, an outreach organization that reaches annually about 1,000 college students and young professionals throughout Illinois. Rabbi Kahn and his wife, Hilary, a native of Los Angeles, have four children and live in West Rogers Park, Chicago.

Rachel Margolis - Union for Reform Judaism

Rachel Margolis, RJE, is a graduate of Cornell University and has a joint masters in Jewish Education and Jewish Non-Profit Management from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Rachel has helped write curriculum and re-envisioned youth involvement and teen learning for family schools, Religious Schools, synagogue day camps and retreats at synagogues and community programs around the country. She is currently a project manager in the Congregational Innovations team at the Union for Reform Judaism, and the alumni specialist for the DeLeT Alumni Network. When not working with synagogue communities, Rachel is a co-chair of the HUC-JIR Schools of Education Alumni Association and the vice-chair of the Alumni Leadership Council of HUC-JIR. She is married to Rabbi Ari Margolis, of Congregation Or Shalom in Vernon Hills, and has three daughters, Laila, Adaya, and Eliora.

Deborah L. Shub is the Assistant Director of Leadership Development at the Jewish United Fund (JUF) /Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, where she helps cultivate JUF's volunteer leadership and ensures they have positive experiences and meaningful roles within the organization. She began her career at JUF in 2012 in the Planning & Allocations department, where she managed all of JUF's Young Family and PJ Library events. Prior to JUF, Deborah worked with youth at two different synagogues in the suburbs. She has served on the Board of many organizations, including PAWS Chicago and The Anti-Defamation League. Deborah earned her Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a Masters in Jewish Professional Studies and Certificate in Jewish Leadership from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning & Leadership. In 2016, Deborah was honored with the Bernard Rodkin Professional Development Israel Fellowship – a prestigious JPRO Network Award.

Linda Sonin is the Director of the Board of Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago’s Marshall Jewish Learning Center and JTeach.org. A seasoned educator, Linda has dedicated her career to inspiring teachers to widen their educational approaches so that their students find joy and meaning in Jewish learning. She is a sought-after workshop leader, and has served as an education director, art educator and curriculum specialist in a variety of Jewish settings. She is a graduate of the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI), earned an MA in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service and Jewish Education from Brandeis University, and a BA in Religious Studies from the University of Illinois. Linda Sonin is the author of Celebrating Israel through the Arts and Walk the Talk: Jewish Values in Action.

Joellyn Stoliar - Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago

Joellyn Stoliar has been in the position of Executive Director since December of 2013. She comes to Maot Chitim from Lambs Farm in Libertyville where she worked as the Community Employment Manager. Prior to Lambs Farm, she worked in the Chicago Jewish Community for over 20 years. She worked at Keshet as the Director of the High School/ Transitional Program and Recreational Programs. Keshet serves adults and Children with disabilities. Joellyn also spent over 15 years at the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago in numerous leadership capacities. She has worked with all aspects of the Jewish Community. She has extensive experience in program development, budgeting, marketing and customer service. She holds an MA in Educational Administration.